It’s All His

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.

Luke 16:10–15

A few years ago, the Wall Street Journal changed its format, adding a section devoted to personal money and life management, entitled “Personal Journal.” The paper realized that many of the leaders of America’s top companies are skillfully handling their companies, but their personal lives are in turmoil.

The word manage comes from the Latin word manus, meaning “hand.” It has to do with handling things. For the Christian, that means handling God’s things. The concept of stewardship has to do with wise management of our lives—recognizing we don’t own anything. God owns it all; we simply manage it on His behalf.

Tithing, for example, is my acknowledgment that all my money is His and that I’m managing it well enough to return at least 10 percent into the work of His kingdom. As someone has said, the real question is not, “Should I give God 10 percent of my money?” but “Should I keep 90 percent of His money for myself?”

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. We are not our own; we are bought with a price (Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Let’s manage wisely what He has entrusted to us, that His work and Word might advance.